Finally, we were outside working on the flyball box, with someone along to take pictures! We did a demo this past Sunday, and Score got to work on his boxwork. I figure it's time to start adding a ball, as from the pictures, I can see that he's looking too much at me, and doesn't have his head in the right spot to catch a ball. (and yes, for the men on the forum, that's a woman in a short skirt bending over back there...don't ask me why you'd wear a skirt to play flyball?!?! ??? )

I found over the years, that ball driven dogs are harder to train in flyball (for a good swimmer's turn)...because they just want to get the ball no-matter-what! The dogs that are trained to retrieve the ball first, tend to be easier to get a good turn with...because they can focus on something else, and learn that the ball brings good things.

Xander has a good turn when we're practicing with the jump in front, but as soon as that goes away, and he's racing at a tournament...his box turn goes away for the most part. *sigh* Also, I trained him too fast, I take my time now!

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw

good news from this end... I was at the meeting for the training club I'm in and the owner of the team is considering letting us come back! Riggs is finally giving up balls without having to resort to not-so-pleasant measures and we played fetch for a solid half hour while she watched. I'm not counting chickens, but I'm hopefull!

Did you get any push back about having a Pit Bull run?

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

On September 14 2007, 12:01 PM, mnp13 wrote:good news from this end... I was at the meeting for the training club I'm in and the owner of the team is considering letting us come back! Riggs is finally giving up balls without having to resort to not-so-pleasant measures and we played fetch for a solid half hour while she watched. I'm not counting chickens, but I'm hopefull!

Did you get any push back about having a Pit Bull run?

Very cool! What's the team name that you'll be training with? Is it Fetch n' Fly? That's the only team in the area that I know of.

We've never had issues with our AmStaff running...everyone in our region thinks it's cool, and often point her out to spectators. She won a place on the Dream Team in 2006 (one of the teams holds a "Dream Team" competition, where you submit votes for a dog that you'd love to have on your team). We've never had BSL issues to deal with in any place we've gone either, but we're just lucky not to have any tournies where there is BSL in place. I know other teams that are not so lucky.

We also have more Staffy Bulls running in our area as height dogs, and more Staffy bull mixes (Staffy-Jacks and Border-Staffys).

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw

There are a few people on the team who aren't so happy we're there and a few others who are ok with it, and a few others who actually want us there. I don't know who is who though, but that's why I was not encouraged to keep training with them.

His lack of outing freaked people out a little as well. It wasn't that he was out of control - far from it - but he just doesn't let go of anything, ever, until he damn well pleases. Luckily he "pleases" more and more and easier and easier.

Even though Pit Bulls are exempt from the Ontario law if they are in a tournament, a lot of the tournaments themselves are refusing them. I'd never risk it anyway.

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

On September 14 2007, 12:19 PM, mnp13 wrote:His lack of outing freaked people out a little as well. It wasn't that he was out of control - far from it - but he just doesn't let go of anything, ever, until he damn well pleases. Luckily he "pleases" more and more and easier and easier.

Have you found that playing "fetch" w/a pit bull is more about them biting/chewing the ball once they get it? While the border collies love the running/chasing after the ball?
Daisy understands that, in order to fetch the ball again, she will have to bring it back to me so I can throw it again... w/her it's all about the chase and retrieve...
Mick is happy w/finding the ball and being able to bite and chew it... I don't think he understands why I want him to bring it to me if I just throw it away anyway... and he has to find it over and over again just to get a bite in...
Ah, those little doggy brains at work...

We have finally gotten to the point where Mickey will retrieve the ball and vigorously chew it on the way back to me... and drop it in front of my feet w/out any big hassle... I can work with that...

On September 14 2007, 12:19 PM, mnp13 wrote:His lack of outing freaked people out a little as well. It wasn't that he was out of control - far from it - but he just doesn't let go of anything, ever, until he damn well pleases. Luckily he "pleases" more and more and easier and easier.

Have you found that playing "fetch" w/a pit bull is more about them biting/chewing the ball once they get it? While the border collies love the running/chasing after the ball?Daisy understands that, in order to fetch the ball again, she will have to bring it back to me so I can throw it again... w/her it's all about the chase and retrieve...Mick is happy w/finding the ball and being able to bite and chew it... I don't think he understands why I want him to bring it to me if I just throw it away anyway... and he has to find it over and over again just to get a bite in... Ah, those little doggy brains at work...

We have finally gotten to the point where Mickey will retrieve the ball and vigorously chew it on the way back to me... and drop it in front of my feet w/out any big hassle... I can work with that...

I've found it both ways with all sorts of breeds. I know BCs that won't give it up (and many JRTs that hold on with a death grip)...and I know our AmStaff gives it right up for a treat.

We've got a Bouvier that won't pick up the ball, we've got Standard Poodles that will carry them around forever, we've got a Golden Retriever that will carry 4 balls in her mouth and not give any up easily, we've got a Miniature Schnauzer that won't give up the ball. It takes all sorts!

Though yeah, the BCs can be hardwired to bring it back...anything to play. But out of four Aussies, I've only got one that plays that game...everyone else was taught to retrieve.

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw